jumped into a new RV

[ArtW]

I know HDR, even just my truck with shell could serve, I think, depending on how bad the weather might get, so it's a question of finances and what I might be able to come in
(also getting off work lol)

 

[highdesertranger]

understand. I am telling my boss tomorrow that I am unavailable for January. highdesertranger

 

[ArtW]

oh if I am able to come it'll definitely not be for the whole month, might even be only a couple days (plus travel time) durned old job, who knew they'd actually expect me to show up and work?

 

[jimindenver]

I told my boss that I wouldn't be available for January , February, March, April, etc, etc, etc.

 

[Dennis]

Art, sounds like you have pretty much decided not to try towing your new RV with the Ranger. That is not really a bad trip on I-10 but still you would be gaining several thousand feet in elevation and might be slow. Nothing like Ranger Hill on I-20 (just a really steep climb to the top) but still Sierra Blanca is around 4,500'. Las Cruces is in a big valley, etc.
Not something I would do for fun.

 

[ArtW]

Jim I'd love to tell the boss that, unfortunately I gotta eat, pay my bills, etc
Dennis, I moved the trailer around some with the ranger to level it, the trailer did noit sit level, and the rear of the truck was squatty Mcsquaterson, I think It'd be asking a bit much
I can't do photos, but for those of you with an interest, and the bandwidth, here's a video walk through

 

[DannyB1954]

Being single axle, I don't suspect it could weigh a whole lot. The Ranger may do OK if the engine is large enough. Be sure to have a brake controller installed.

 

[jimindenver]

Were I to drop the trailer on the Expy with out the weight distribution hitch, it would squat it pretty good too. It levels the truck and there are different ratings depending on if you use one or not. (higher with) It is certainly a more solid feeling connection and with a sway bar, I never even feel the Semi's passing.

The biggest thing is don't do what you are not comfortable with. A full size truck will make towing that trailer a dream both up and down hill. The Ranger might be up to it but it won't be as easy.

 

[ArtW]

Danny, it's 3160 some lbs empty, and of course it's not empty now, lol
I have the 3.0 V6, with a tow capacity of 4k lb
Maybe if I traveled at night lol

Jim, I've heard that also, but when I tried an internet sea4rch what I got was 'it's necessary if you're going to pull anywhere near your max tow capacity
There are a few guys on a Ranger forum who pull RVs about this size, but not in the mountains
Honestly with a leveling hitch and brake controller I know the ranger will pull it, it pulled my old RV, and it weighs 3150, it just didn't like hills (to be fair, the Ranger never likes hills, and it some times enters detonation with regular unleaded, even unladen)
It did carry 2 400lb motorcycles and 2 200 lb men to North Carolina once, but it didn't go up the hills very well with that load

 

[ArtW]

Danny, it's 3160 some lbs empty, and of course it's not empty now, lol
I have the 3.0 V6, with a tow capacity of 4k lb
Maybe if I traveled at night lol

Jim, I've heard that also, but when I tried an internet search what I got was 'it's necessary if you're going to pull anywhere near your max tow capacity
There are a few guys on a Ranger forum who pull RVs about this size, but not in the mountains
how much capacity do you think it adds?
Honestly with a leveling hitch and brake controller I know the ranger will pull it, it pulled my old RV, and it weighs 3150, it just didn't like hills (to be fair, the Ranger never likes hills, and it some times enters detonation with regular unleaded, even unladen)
It did carry 2 400lb motorcycles and 2 200 lb men to North Carolina once, but it didn't go up the hills very well with that load

 

[jimindenver]

Okay, the truck can pull it if not slowly up hills. Are the transmission and motor going to hold the speed down as you come downhill? Both the truck and trailer have brakes but you only use them IF the first two can't do the job. What you don't want is to come into a sharp curve too hot and have to hit the brakes going in, your knuckles will be white, your undies not so much.

Oh and the reason you use the transmission first is that you can stop the truck with the brakes if you blow the transmission, you can't completely stop the truck with the transmission alone if you loose your brakes.

 

[jimindenver]

how much capacity do you think it adds?

That is in your manual. There should be a with weight distribution hitch and without. It makes a 2000 pound difference in the Expeditions.

 

[ArtW]

OK, went back and reread the manual, 4000, is top capacity, all rangers need weight distribution over 2000 lb
I wonder how much this booger weighs with my stuff in it lol

 

[jimindenver]

General rule is add 1000 pounds to the dry.

 

[ArtW]

which would put me overweight
Really wonder if I'm really that heavy, if I dump the tanks, but likely I underestimate the weight of my dtuff

 

[jimindenver]

You can weigh everything as you put it in. Unlike me that will have everything I own in that trailer, you can get away with far less stuff. It's easy to let it build up saying this would be nice if I ever needed it. We did that and didn't think there was much in there until we unloaded it. It took a full garage space. Half of it I didn't put back it because we never used it.

 

[ArtW]

yeah I got rid of stuff even going from the old trailer to the new
I have a scale right up the road if I really want to know, although backing this puppy into my lot is tricky, or like you said, I could weight stuff and dump what I don't really need

 

[Queen]

I can't remember reading what you said, Art, you got a stick in the Ranger? If so I can tell you, my dad hauled WAY over capacity a lot of the time with his stick, things my auto Ranger couldn't have gotten rolling. He did add a aux cooler to something and used trailer brakes.

 

[jimindenver]

One other thing Art. What is the tongue weight of the trailer and the payload of the Ranger?

 

[bullfrog]

We had an 18' camper that was probably extra heavy as it was a 1991 Ajo and had lots of frame, two propane bottles and some repairs it pulled okay with a equalizer hitch and sway control behind our V-8 1991 Grand Wagoneer but after we sold the Jeep we used a small U-Haul dual rear tire box van and barely knew it was there. If you want to see the difference it makes some rental places do week long rentals with no milage or lower rates. I have seen many boats pulled to Lake Powell for one or two week trips this way.